The anticipation was palpable. The expectation high. Four English lads and a ladette, under the moniker Crazy Penis, delivered a stunning live set of their crossover dance music. With reservations aside it was a truly funk-inspiring night. Simply, the wicked is music.
Having seen Jim Baron, one of the two original composer/producers of Crazy Penis, play a brilliant set of deep sexy house music at The Globe awhile back, it was with much delight to learn that he was coming back, but this time he was bringing his band. Along with cohort Chris Todd on guitar, there was a bassist, a percussionist, and vocalist. In support of their second album, The Wicked Is Music, they are touring as a proper band. With a sumptuous mix of soul, funk and jazz set to a cruisy house vibe, Crazy Penis have captured a sound that is truly their own. And this was performed to great effect at The Metro.
It’s only recently that Crazy Penis have crossed over from the underground DJ circuit to being on heavy Triple J rotate. 1200 or so of Sydney’s dance culture were cheering and stomping after every track of their set, which flashed past too quickly for my liking. Good support from local boys Ken Cloud, Jules Beaumont, Goodwill, Boffa & Minogue.
The sound engineer was in a club mode, when he should have been mixing them as a band. There was no real separation between the instruments, and often it was hard to hear Danielle’s lovely vocals. The sound had been compressed together, rather than having the space and clarity that any rock gig would have used. However the crowd vibe and the music carried the night way above any disappointments in the sound department.
Later at The Globe’s Fly we were lucky to have Jim Baron turn up with a crate of records and spin a yummy late session. Later still, on Tuesday night, I caught him again spinning more of his fantastic house grooves at the revamped Fringe Bar. Top man! Brilliant band!
